Introduction

The first front wheel drive Corolla was introduced with
the 5th generation of 1984. However, the SR5 Coupe, Liftback
and Station Wagon retained the 4th generations rear-drive
chassis.

The front-drive Corolla was as conventional as it had
been in a rear-driver layout. The same 1.6-litre, SOHC
engine used in the rear-drive Corolla was now positioned
transversely, and was coupled to either a five-speed manual
or four-speed automatictransmission.

Midway through the 1984 model year, the rear-drive Corolla
Coupe and Liftback were offered with a new dual-overhead
cam, 16-valve version of the 1.6-liter four rated at a
robust 124 bhp.

The resulting Corolla GT-S is now a classic of sorts,
a highly tossable, fun-to-drive vehicle that has attracted
a cult following of "drifters" who slide their vehicles
through corners as a motorsport form in Japan.

This DOHC engine, along with the front-drive Corolla's
five-speed transaxle, also served as the drivetrain in
the midengine MR2, which came to Australia in early 1985.